Molded clockcase



iNVENTOR ROY D HEYMANN R. D. HEYMANN MOLDED CLOCK CASE Flled July 28 1949 June 26, I951 Patented June 26,1951

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOLDED CLOCKCASE Roy D. Heymann, New Hartford, Conn., assignor to The William L. Gilbert Clock Corporation, Winsted, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 28, 1949, Serial No. 107,245

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a two-piece clock case, the members of which are molded and are of some suitable material or materials such as synthetic resins, especially resins of the type that are thermosetting, that is, which take a permanent set when subjected to suitable heat and pressure.

According to the invention, the two members interfit in a novel manner to form a housing which encloses the clock movement, the members being secured together by fastening elements which can be readily removed when it is desired to open the case for access to the movement.

For a more complete understanding of the in vention, reference may be had to the following description thereof, and to the drawing, of which Figure l is a perspective view of the rear member of a clock case embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front member;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section of the assembled case, showing how the members are fastened together.

The rear member of the case is in the form of a short, horizontal cylinder with a transverse wall 12 near its rear end. The wall I2 is spaced slightly from the rear extremity of the cylinder l 0 so that the rear margin M of the cylinder extends beyond and to the rear of the wall 12. On the sides of the cylinder H? are shallow recesses l6 and [8 which extend from the forward end of the cylinder to the rear end. These recesses each have a depth of about half the wall thickness of the cylinder. At the front or open end of the cylinder a rabbet groove 20 extends along inside of the rim except where the rim is cut away by the recesses l6 and [8. One or more holes 22 may be formed in the lowermost part of the cylinder wall to accommodate an electric wire, clock-setting shaft and the like. Notches 24 are formed in the rear margin I4 of the recessed portions I and [8 of the cylinder Wall, two such notches being shown for each said portion for purposes hereinafter described.

The front rim of the cylinder I6 is in a plane which is perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The rear rim of the cylinder is preferably in a plane which is slightly inclined with respect to the plane of the front rim, so that the length of the cylinder is maximum at its uppermost point and minimum at its lowermost point. When the clock hangs against a vertical wall, the front face slants outward and downward.

The front member 38 of the case is partly transparent and partly translucent or opaque. It may, therefore, conveniently be made in two pieces which are permanently joined together by a surface solvent or a suitable adhesive to form a single unit. As shown, the front member consists of a molded annulus 32 on which the hour numerals 34 may be molded in relief. A transparent disk 36 to cover the clock face is permanently set into the opening of the annulus 32. The disk 36 may be shaped as desired. As shown, it is molded in the shape of a shallow saucer with a narrow flange 38 adapted to be adhesively secured behind the inner rim of the annulus, the major portion of the disk 38 bulging forward through the opening in the annulus.

From diametrically opposite portions of the annulus, two extensions 40 and 42 project rearwardly in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the annulus. The parts are so shaped that when the rim of the annulus fits into the rabbet groove 20, the extensions 45 and 42 fit into the recesses 18 and [3 respectively, the rear ends of the extensions being flush with the rear edge of the cylinder H). In the inner face of each extension are formed screw-threaded holes 46 which are arranged to register with correspondins notches 24 in the cylinder rim.

When the clock movement (not shown) is secured within the cylinder [0 by any suitable means, the front member 36 is then assembled with the rear member to complete the case, the extensions 40 and 32 being fitted into the recesses l5 and I8. Screws 48 are inserted through the notches 24 and screwed into the holes 46 to secure the case members together. These screws can be removed easily whenever removal of the front member is desired for access to the clock movement.

A small hole 56 may be provided in the upper portion of the rear wall I2 to receive a wall hook or other element by which the clock can be supported on a wall.

I claim:

1. A molded clock case comprising two members, one of said members being cylindrical with a transverse wall spaced inward from an end of the cylinder, said member having two shallow recessed areas extending from end to end thereof circular and of a size to fit in the open end of REFERENCES CITED said cylinder, said other member having two thin The following references are of record in the extensions projecting at right-angles to the genfile of this patent:

eral plane thereof and shaped to fit into said shallow recessed areas and to extend to the opposite end of said cylinder, and fastening means UNITED STATES PATENTS extending radially outward through said cylini g gg i g gm der into said projecting elements at points to the 435060 Greeny j A 5 390 rear of said transverse wall- 1 62 po t Oct 21 1913 2, A molded clock case as describe in claim 1, Hyde June 6 1922 the circular member having a ce transpalc 74 Kohn u Mar 1 1927 ent portion surrounded by an annular portion of 3 5 1 Sept 3 1935 substantial width which is not transparent. 7 15 Lux 25 1941 3. A molded clock case as described in claim 1, 2:38O215 5;; J ly 0: 9 5

the cylindrical member having notches in the 15 end adjacent to the transverse wall to receive the fastening means by which the two members are secured together.

ROY D. HEYMANN. 

